In order to keep the UK education sector updated on the market changes, priorities and give an overview of the situation with Covid-19 in Wider Europe, the International Education Services team in the region is pleased to present you with the following news. 

In this update we will give you an overview of the situation with Covid-19 in the Wider Europe countries, the pandemic effect on the education system, economy and other key areas of countries' development. 

Here are the changes at a glance: 

Kazakhstan – "soft" lockdown continues, Covid-19 cases flat, online education continues, Covid-19 vaccine trials until the end of November, Kazakhstan qualifications framework, new scholarship scheme emerging, economy reviving gradually.

Turkey - Covid-19 cases stable, Turkey removed from Travel Corridor list, extension on face-to-face teaching, unemployment rate reaches its highest point, student mobility trends decline in Tier 4 visas.

Uzbekistan - quarantine lifted, schools and universities delivering face-to-face, new Law on Education goes public.
 

Kazakhstan

Update 12 October 2020

Kazakhstan declared a state of emergency to curb the spread of the Covid-19 infection on 16 March through to 11 May, after the World Health Organisation defined the spread of the coronavirus as a pandemic.

The quarantine and strict restrictive measures have been lifted in Kazakhstan, all public places are open (except for large educational institutions). However social distancing and sanitary requirements are being followed in the country by citizens and businesses.

Currently, Covid-19 numbers remain relatively flat compared to the Covid-19 peak in June-July 2020. The number of Covid-19 cases in Kazakhstan currently is 108 901 people (less than 1 per cent of the population).

Kazakhstan’s Covid-19 vaccine QazCovid-in will have been trialed by the end of November 2020. Should the vaccine be effective and with minimal side effects, it will be rolled out to the public and would cost relatively very little for Kazakh citizens.

Education sector

The new academic year in Kazakhstan commenced mostly online – institutions at all levels of education are distance teaching their students with the help of various education/video-call platforms. However, classes in small schools in remote rural areas will be conducted in the usual format with all sanitary requirements to be observed. In other words, around 80 per cent of students in the country are taught online, 15-16 per cent of students of first, second, third and fourth grades are attending classes formed at the request of parents, the remaining 5 per cent (around 202,000) of students are students of small-sized schools, mostly in remote rural areas and are continuing their education in the usual traditional way.

There is some dissatisfaction about the quality of online education delivery and the general public is addressing the Ministry of Education and Science to return to the offline mode of education delivery. The Ministry of Education and Science responded that they will be back to the delivery of face-to-face teaching once the situation with Covid-19 is stabilised.

Kazakh university qualifications have started to meet the standards of the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The Secretariat of the Bologna Process adopted a self-certification report of the National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education of Kazakhstan. Now diplomas from Kazakh universities will be recognised in European countries.

Kazakhstan will start sending local scientists to internhsip programmes overseas in 2021. The country plans to grant 500 scholarships starting next year, however no further details are available at this stage.

Economic situation

In addition, based on the conservative forecast, 110 billion tenge will be allocated within the free healthcare services and 140 billion tenge within the compulsory social health insurance until the end of this year. In total, the government of Kazakhstan will be allocating 250 billion tenge for treating Covid-19 patients within this initiative.

Despite the global crisis, Kazakhstan maintains a low level of public debt and a significant amount of fiscal reserves, sufficient to cushion external shocks. Moody’s FitchRatings and Standard and Poors credit rating agencies confirmed Kazakhstan’s stable rating for international investments.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his 1 September state-of-the-nation address, stressed the need to use the potential of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) to further develop the economy.

“The government should continue to support the activities of the AIFC, which, in essence, has acquired constitutional status. The AIFC could become a platform for the development of the latest digital technologies together with Nazarbayev University,” the President said.

On the general picture, the Kazakh Ministry of the National Economy has projected a 2.8 per cent growth in real gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021, and 4.6 per cent in 2025. This was announced by the National Economy Minister Ruslan Dalenov during a government meeting on 25 August. The ministry relied on a baseline scenario to calculate Kazakhstan’s economic development for 2021-2025.

The Kazakh National Bank (NBK) revised the inflation forecast for 2020 from 9-11 per cent to 8-8.5 per cent, said NBK Chairperson Yerbolat Dossayev. This is due to “weak domestic demand, which will have a disinflationary effect.”

The NBK also expects the exchange rate pass-through to impact inflation taking into account the expected balance of payments deficit, as well as the increased fiscal impulse. The financial regulator expects the target corridor to maintain 4-6 per cent in 2021-2022, 4-5 per cent in 2023-2024, and 3-4 per cent in 2025.

Contact

For more information and insights about the Covid-19 situation in Kazakhstan or any other services we can offer you, please contact Zhanaidar Duzgenbay, International Education Services Coordinator, Kazakhstan at Zhanaidar.Duzgenbay@britishcouncil.org.

Turkey

Update 12 October 2020

The majority of public places are open with temperature checks and physical distancing rules in place. Wearing a mask is compulsory in public areas. 

The number of Covid-19 cases is stable, and lockdowns are not being considered at this time.  

Most international flights are ongoing. Most European Union destinations are still closed to Turkish citizens; however, EU countries are accepting Turkish students, as they have residential visas.

The Transport Secretary announced that Turkey was being removed from the Travel Corridor list as of 3 October 2020. Anyone arriving from Turkey after that time will need to self-isolate for fourteen days. 

Economic outlook in Turkey

The GBP-Turkish lira exchange rate remains 10 TRY. Recent currency fluctuation may discourage prospective students from the lower middle-class segment; however, the core target group that is upper middle-class and above are historically not affected by foreign exchange changes.  Additionally, we are expecting a decline in the student mobility towards the U.S. and Canada and increase in the number of interests in the UK and EU countries.

School and university closures

Over 26 million students are affected by Covid-19, comprising of 18 million school students and 8 million higher education students.

Schools

All primary school students, 8^th and 12^th graders who will sit for the national transition exams will go to school two days a week as of 12 October. Students are also given an option to continue their education online.

Universities

Universities have started the academic year. The delivery mode is hybrid, a combination of online and face-to-face teaching/activities for small groups.

International Student Mobility

According to the UKVI Visa Application Centre (VAC) statistics, 1,345 Tier 4 visa applications were made between July and September. There is a 40 per cent drop in visas compared to the issued number of visas in the same period in 2019. Number of referrals and students who started their education online is unknown.

Unemployment rate reached to 13.4 per cent which is the highest in history. Based on the reactions of students to similar situations in the past, we expect that the demand for UK PG programmes will increase as students look to enhance their job prospects globally and in Turkey.

UKVI

The Visa Application Centre (VAC)s are open and operating every day in Gaziantep, five days in Ankara, four days in Istanbul and Izmir, three days in Bursa and two days every second week in Adana and Antalya.

Contact

Direct marketing services, including digital promotion, remain available to help the UK institutions engage with students and retain a presence in Turkey. 

For more information, please contact Semra Yalcin Dogan at Semra.Yalcin@britishcouncil.org.tr.

Uzbekistan

Update 12 October 2020

Economic picture:

• The Central Bank of Uzbekistan expects GDP growth to decline to 1.5 to 2.5 per cent in 2020 (against 5.2 to 5.5 per cent projected earlier). According to the regulator’s forecasts, the most significant slowdown in growth is forecast in tourism, hotel industry and international transport. The Central Bank also forecasts a reduction in the amount of remittances to Uzbekistan by 30 to 35 per cent in 2020, which may hold back private consumption growth. Exports will likely weaken amid supply side disruptions, although higher gold and uranium prices should soften the downturn
• In the June issue of the WB World Economic Outlook report, data on world GDP growth for 2020-2021 were announced. The impact of Covid-19 is projected to lead to a 1.7 per cent decline in the Central Asian economy
• It is notable that among the 24 states in the region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Uzbekistan according to WB will become the only country where economic growth of 1.5 per cent is currently expected in 2020. WB expects 6.6 per cent increase in Uzbekistan’s economy in 2021. http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/344691588788182868/Global-Economic-Prospects-June-2020-Regional-Overview-ECA.pdf
• Unemployment in Uzbekistan now stands at nearly 2 million. In the first quarter of the year, the unemployment level had stood at 1.35 million. The government anticipates unemployment to triple. According to government figures 45,000 businesses in retail and wholesale, 13,000 cafes and restaurants, 19,000 service companies, and 7,000 transport companies have been closed as a result of Covid-19
• A significant proportion of the population will be immediately impacted by a decline in remittances, as a result of the economic shocks in Russia (due to oil price and Covid-19) and Kazakhstan. Already, 140,000 migrant workers have returned to Uzbekistan and the Central Bank has noted that remittances were down by 50 per cent in April year on year. Remittances were worth approximately US$ 4.25 billion to the Uzbek economy in 2019 and constitute a critical source of income for families in provincial areas

Education market

2020/2021 Academic Year

• In Uzbekistan this year, entrance exams to state universities started on 2 September and lasted until 14 September 2020
• This year 162,364 bachelor's and 10,425 master's degrees have been allocated for study at the country's universities. 91 higher educational institutions accepted documents for admission to bachelor's degree from 1 million 484 thousand applicants, which is 39 per cent more than last year. 10.6 people apply for one student place. 78 thousand 720 people applied for admission to the masters in 72 educational institutions, which is 3 times more than last year. https://kun.uz/ru/news/2020/08/06/v-uzbekistane-vstupitelnyye-ekzameny-v-vuzy-proydut-v-dve-smeny-na-otkrytyx-stadionax
• New Decree of President dated 13 June 2020, introducing unified school graduation and University entrance exams from 2021/2022
• Earlier this year, the State Testing Centre (STC) published for discussion a draft presidential decree that provides for the introduction of a system of admission to universities based on the results of school graduation tests, without conducting additional exams
• According to the project, it is proposed to introduce a unified exam from the academic year 2021/2022. Testing is planned in April-May 2021

The Law on Education was signed off by the President of Uzbekistan on 24 September 2020 https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2020/09/24/education/ 

It describes in detail the types of education and forms of education, clarifies the powers of government agencies, defines key education principles and standards. The Law stipulates the legal status of teaching staff, guarantees of their activities, as well as responsibilities. In addition, it describes the rights and obligations of students, their parents and other legal representatives.

The Law talks about:

• Roles and responsibilities of Ministries of Education, the state Quality Assurance Agency and the Agency for the Development of Presidential, Creative and Specialised Schools
• Formal and informal education and different forms of it including distance education, dual award, adult learning and inclusive education
• Key education principles and standards
• Education programmes, their modernisation and processes involved
• Governance of education institutions and its new forms

Specifically:

Chapter 10. International cooperation in the field of education

International cooperation of educational organisations

Educational organisations carry out international cooperation with the relevant educational institutions and organisations of foreign countries through:

• Development of scientific and technical cooperation on education problems
• Creation of joint faculties, training centers and scientific laboratories
• Preparation of joint educational and research projects and programmes of international level
• Implementation of joint fundamental and applied research projects
• Conducting scientific and practical seminars, conferences and symposia
• Exchange of students, masters, doctoral students, teachers and researchers
• Introduction of double degree programmes (Double Diploma)
• Other activities provided by law

Educational organisations can carry out training in cooperation with educational institutions and organisations of foreign states in accordance with the law.

International cooperation in the field of education

International cooperation in the field of education is carried out in accordance with international treaties and legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Authorised government bodies in the field of education:

• Cooperate with the relevant competent authorities, educational institutions of foreign states
• Send citizens permanently residing in the Republic of Uzbekistan for training in educational institutions of foreign states
• Exchange teachers and students
• Organise training, retraining and advanced training of management and teaching staff in foreign countries
• Send their employees and specialists to international conferences and internships, support their participation in international projects and scientific research

The authorised bodies of state administration in the field of education may also carry out other measures, to develop international cooperation in the field of education in accordance with the legislation.

Obtaining education abroad

• El Yurt Umidi foundation is planning to send 900 people abroad this year (700+200 civil servants). This is because government is in need of qualified people to run the country.

Partnerships

• National development strategy 2017-2021: prioritises economic development and strong focus on capacity development and educations
• New 2030 HE and Public Education development concepts published in 2019: relevance of education to meet country’s ambition, internationalisation and standards ( PISA)
• TNE and internationalization of HE is prioritised to widen access and ensure quality (dedicated Decrees being issued to offer preferential terms, 35 new HEIs set up with 18 being international universities affiliates)

Investments: GoU, international agencies, private

• Public Education/Presidential schools development funding: Presidential schools being set up /Cambridge International – paid by GoU
• Public Education ministry/private investors – setting up International University for Education
• Private businesses have set up first private entrepreneurship university (TEAM) with London South Bank (LSB), outcome of Creative Spark project in Uzbekistan
• WB, UNESCO, Swiss, KFW/GIZ are considering Covid-19 response funds, which may include education, e.g. (the World Bank approved $200 million in additional development policy financing to support Uzbekistan’s ongoing health, social, and economic policy responses to the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic - http://projects.worldbank.org/P173948?lang=en)

Opportunities:

• Main area to highlight is GoU efforts to support education and welcome international HE’s
• Uzbekistan is a growing market for UK English language programmes, over the last two years the number of language centres, courses and foundation programmes with UK partners increased, short-term summer courses, foundation courses, and ELT online courses are all popular in the market
• National Higher Education Reform Decree dated July 2017 requires all universities to teach at least one programme in English by 2020, thus creating demand for content and TNE partnership
• TNE, products and services (WIUT, International University of Education, TEAM; Teaching materials - Macmillan, OUP, Pearson. System to System knowledge sharing and consultancies - e.g. Quality Assurance)

Number of Uzbek students going abroad for HE

• It is estimated around 80K students went abroad to study in 2020
• Most to Russia, China, Korea and Baltic states
• UK: HESA statistics in 2018 – 200, 2019 – 230

Information we have on the size of the market of those considering taking a TNE delivered course

• In 2019 survey showed that 15.4 per cent of pupils wanted to apply for foreign HEs in Uzbekistan. That is 164,306 pupils

Contact

For more information and insights about the Covid-19 situation in Uzbekistan, please contact Shukhrat Amanov, Country Projects Manager, British Council Uzbekistan at Shukhrat.amanov@britishcouncil.or

Read the previous Wider Europe Covid-19 update